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Use of Immunosuppressive Agents for Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy

Posted Jul 11 2010 5:00pm

Description of Invention:
AMD belongs to a group of disorders in which the immune system may play an important role. This invention discloses that patients with AMD gain additional therapeutic benefit from combination treatment of immunosuppressive agents and standard-of-care in comparison to standard-of-care alone. This invention slows the progression of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and may have implications for related pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy. Clinical data from a small, randomized pilot clinical trial are available.

Applications:
  • A method of treatment for AMD.
  • A method of treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
  • A method of treatment for diseases associated with CNV.


Advantages:
  • Likely to be synergistic with existing therapeutics.
  • May enable repurposing of some exiting immunosuppressive agents.


Development Status:
In clinical trials

Inventors:
Robert B Nussenblatt (NEI)
Frederick L Ferris (NEI)


Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-198-2008/0
US, Application No. 61/254,439 filed 23 Oct 2009


Relevant Publication:
  1. In preparation


Licensing Status:
Available for licensing

Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Eye Institute, Laboratory of Immunology, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize the use of immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of age related macular degeneration. This is in light of new findings that immune mechanisms appear to be central to the expression of the clinical disease we know as AMD. Please contact Alan Hubbs, Ph.D. at 301-594-4263 or hubbsa@mail.nih.gov for more information.


Portfolios:
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine - Therapeutics
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology - Therapeutics



For Additional Information Please Contact:
Norbert Pontzer Ph.D., J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325 Room 23,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: pontzern@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5502
Fax: 301-402-0220


Ref No: 2130

Updated: 07/2010

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